Funding Boost for Literacy in Papua New Guinea

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish, SPSN Program Director Jeremy Syme, BbP
Executive Director Ali Not and Roxanne Martens (left to right) join with children who will
benefit from funding for the Buk Bilong Pikinini initiative.

The Australian Government today provided K2.2 million to Buk Bilong Pikinini to allow them to expand their network of libraries across Papua New Guinea.

The funding will be provided through AusAID’s Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen Program and is aimed at improving access to early learning and adult literacy programs.

Buk bilong Pikinini was founded in 2007 by Anna Mukerjee and Ms Anne-Sophie Hermann, wife of the former Australian High Commissioner to PNG.

Buk Bilong Pikinini operates nine children’s libraries in PNG, and the newest library was opened in August near nine mile settlement in Port Moresby. The organisation plans to have 29 libraries in operation by 2017, and this funding will help them achieve that goal.

The funding announcement was made today by the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ian Kemish and his wife Roxanne Martens, who is herself a co-founder of the Safe Motherhood Alliance and patron of the POM Cancer Relief Society.

“More than 73,000 children are already benefiting from the early learning program the organisation runs.  This funding will help them expand and improve their service by funding training for staff, establishing a head office, providing scholarships for disadvantaged children and teaching adults how to read,” Mr Kemish said.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish (far left) and his wife
Roxanne Martens (far right) hand over the signed agreements to
SPSN Program Director Jeremy Syme (Left) and BbP Executive Director Ali Nott.

“The impact on someone’s life of not being able to read is enormous, and affects all aspects of their life. Something as simple as the ability to read can transform people’s lives,” Mr Kemish said.

Buk bilong Pikinini Executive Officer Ali Nott said: “Buk Bilong Pikinini advocates for learning among the most vulnerable communities throughout PNG, with a particular focus on increasing literacy rates through early childhood education. This partnership will enhance existing relationships with private sector and donor organisations and will make a major difference in our fight to improve literacy rates in PNG”.

Strongim Pipol Strongim Nesen is a democratic governance program implemented as a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia.

SPSN provides grants and capacity building to individuals and organisations promoting gender equality and improving access to health, education and disability services.